Dog breed

American Akita

Origin: United States

Also known as: Great Japanese Dog

The Akita Inu is a Japanese dog breed of large size. Originating from the mountains of northern Japan, the Akita has a short double coat similar to that of many other northern spitz breeds. The breed traces its roots to the Matagi Inu, a chūgata ken historically used by the Matagi—traditional hunters of the Tōhoku region—for tracking and subduing large game such as tsukinowaguma, inoshishi and kamoshika in snow-covered mountain terrain.